The Best Movies: Acting

An almost endemic representation of working-class American culture, 'American History X' could not have been more appropriately titled. American history seeps, breathes and vomits racism in every aspect of life, and nothing in the last 332 years of its Constitional existence has been done about it. It is as natural a part of life as eating and sleeping, something all Americans, no matter what spin they continue to put on it, cannot escape as the single most destructive aspect of life that haunts American history. The titular 'X' symbolises Edwards Norton and Furlong's own existence, drifters, gang-bangers, dedicating themselves to meaningless hatred. They and their kind, their 'brethren', are the unseen unheard class that society ignores. They are shunned from education and jobs, outcasted because of their lack of ability or familial background. They are reduced to a mere statistic, an X. With no hope or chance of being accepted these cultures thrive on the anger and frustration of these young people. And when the different worlds of the different races collide, then the outcome can only be violence. The film may simplify this, but it does so in a genuinely painful and emotional way, as if crying out for something to be done about this. The violence is shocking, brutal, visceral, but it's not glamourised. The consequences are shown that violence only begets more violence, and that human life can be so fragile, yet so valued and necessary. People need each other. And as a warning, a sensitive evocation of a desperately out of control situation in American society, the film succeeds. The performances are outstanding, with a credible and towering turn from Norton. The decision to film the flashbacks in black and white also presents a stark contrast with the escalation of violence into the present. This isn't an easy film to sit through, but it is a devastating and virulent piece of cinema. Angry, anguished and alone, it is the X, the ghost of American history...

"Raging Bull" is a cinematic masterpiece which pulls no punches. Based on a true story, Robert De Niro (in his second Oscar-winning role) stars as Jake La Motta, a middle-weight prize-fighter from the late-1940s and early-1950s, who basically destroys himself and those around him because of an uncontrollable temper and poor decision-making. Instead of going down as one of the greatest boxers of all time, La Motta ruined his career because he was unable to see the "big picture". He threw bouts, he got involved with low-life underworld crime figures, he beat his wife (Cathy Moriarty, in her Oscar-nominated role), he abused all those closest to him, and he had relationships with young girls who were still considered minors. Even his strongest tie, his younger brother (Joe Pesci, in an Oscar-nominated, star-making part), gets cut during the course of his untimely self-destruction. La Motta goes from middle-weight champ to a washed-out stand-up comic at a local club. He gains weight uncontrollably and ultimately just becomes another face in the crowd by the end of the film. By the end, La Motta proclaims that he: "Could have been a contender....", quoting Marlon Brando's famous line from "On the Waterfront". "Raging Bull" is one of those films that is masterfully crafted in all possible departments. The screenplay is one of the best in the history of film. Martin Scorsese's direction is superb and so is the cinematography (shot almost entirely in black-and-white). The film delivered De Niro an Oscar and also won for its editing. "Raging Bull" is one of those films that is very close to "Citizen Kane". They both deal with men who desperately want to be great, but ultimately destroy themselves and those around them. This film is often rated the best film of the 1980s. I cannot argue with that opinion. I also think that this is the best work that Scorsese and De Niro have ever done. The fact that this film lost the Best Picture Oscar to "Ordinary People" in 1980 is probably the biggest disappointment since "Citizen Kane" lost to "How Green Was My Valley" in 1941.

The first time I saw this movie my jaw was hanging down and my mouth wide open from start to finish. I was gripped. This movie has no sex, no violence, no car chases, no action - but absolutely the most powerful acting I have ever seen. Uncompromisingly realistic. Having said that, I can understand why so many people do NOT like it - you have to like dramas, and especially one centered so much around desparation and conflict, and NOT around action. It is adapted from the stage play, and I appreciate the way in which it was shot, retaining so much of the raw appeal that can only be felt at the theatre, as opposed to the cinema. This movie is a veritable who's who of acting, with Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon, Ed Harris, Alec Baldwin, Alan Arkin, Jonathan Pryce - not to mention a then-relatively-unknwon Kevin Spacey. If you can appreciate powerful acting, films based on dialogue with few scene changes, and can withstand an absolute barrage of foul language (which I must add is perfectly suited to this film), then this movie will blow you away

The Godfather Part II may just skim off the edge of the original Godfather but this one definetely exceeds more on the 'Movie To See Before You Die' factor. The story of Michael Corleones soul loss is awesome, but what really is brilliant is the 'prequel' part of the film. Robert DeNiro plays a young Vito Corleone and this goes on to tell you about how a happy family can be totally driven apart by corruption. The comparison is great of how Vito Corleones empire was built on love, honour and respect, but Michaels was built on volatility, brutal dominance and the unbelievable lack of loyalty. Possibly the second greatest film ever made

Shawshank Redemption is a nonpareil piece of cinema on all counts: impeccable cinematography, brilliant casting, wonderful story-telling and flawless directing.The Shawshank Redemption is without doubt my favourite film of all time. Anyone who claims that they were not moved by this film is either lying or has a heart of stone. The story is of a man imprisoned at Shawshank Prison for the murder of his wife, which he did not commit. The film guides the audience through his years in incarceration and often solitary confinement, the prejudice, the abuse and the injustice in the prison system, and delivers an ending so powerful and so surprising that it must be hailed as the greatest ending to a film of all time.tim robbins and morgen feeman the two lead cast members shine as do all the support cast that all so put on such strong performances well There is not an actor in this film who doesnt deliver a commendable performance . The film has everything that you would want from a good movie- great acting, action, a thrilling storyline, tension and suspense, a satisfying ending and great cinematography.